’Kyle XY’ Actor Comes Out Via Twitter

Matt Dallas, the star of ABC Family's "Kyle XY" came out on Twitter when he announced on the social media website that he was engaged to his partner, Blue Hamilton, E! reports.

"Starting off the year with a new fiancé, @bluehamilton. A great way to kick off 2013!" the 30-year-old actor tweeted earlier this week. He also attached a photo of Hamilton relaxing on a sofa with his dog. E! notes that the couple have been dating for about four years.

Although most may know Dallas for his work on "Kyle XY," the actor recently starred in the Hallmark TV movie "Naughty or Nice" and will appear on "Baby Daddy," one of ABC Family's most successful shows.

As International Business Times pointed out, Dallas has been the subject of gay rumors for some time. In 2009, Perez Hilton linked the actor to Jonathan Bennett, best known for appearing on "Mean Girls." Another blogger, who goes by the name Just Jared, reported on Dallas and Hamilton eating together in West Hollywood that same year and called them out as an "item."

"Coming on the heels of a succession of celebrities coming out of the closet in recent years without much incident, is it even a shock anymore to see such an announcement made in such a casual way?" International Business Times asked. Several websites congratulated the couple, the article noted, adding, "It appears that the shock and even outrage, in some quarters once expressed over celebs coming out is on the wane."

Twitter may, may be the preferred way celebrities come out these days. In October, Shaun Thompson, better known as Shaun T., the creator of the popular "Insanity" workout DVDs came out in a similar way. The fitness guru also announced he is gay via Twitter by retweeting a photo taken at his wedding with his husband.

As Gawker noted: "No public address, no product tie-in, no developing of a special power jump that can only be performed with the help from another dude - just a guy who had a great day with the guy he loves, and let the world know by hitting a button."